Campaign Overview

The Gallipoli Campaign is characterised by countless deeds of heroism and endurance, in a campaign that was flawed from the very start and became a defeat for the Allies. It took place in an area smaller than Southampton amid appalling conditions, such as heat, flies, lack of water, equipment and proper sanitation. Later on, rain and a freak spell of sub-zero temperatures had to be endured to say nothing of the desperate close-quarter fighting throughout the campaign. Some 559,000 Allied personnel were committed, of whom 420,000 were British and Empire troops, 80,000 French, 50,000 Australians and 9,000 New Zealanders. The cost in human terms was very high. The Allies had 250,000 casualties, of whom 50,000 were killed with only 10,000 having known graves. Casualties to Turkish forces with some Germans, numbered between 300,000 and 400,000 and of these some 87,000 were killed. The evacuation in December and early January 1916 was a masterly operation - one of the great feats of military history.

 

Summary Of The Major Battles & Events

• The Naval bombardment of the Straits Forts (9 February - 16 March)
• The Naval attempt to force the Straits (18 March)
• The Landings at Cape Helles and ANZAC Cove (25 April)
• The First Battle of Krithia (28 April)
• The Turkish night counter-attack (2 May)
• The Second Battle of Krithia (6 May)
• The Third Battle of Krithia (4 June)
• The Battle of Gully Ravine (28 June)
• The Landings at Suvla Bay and the ANZAC attack on Chunuk Bair (6 - 10 August)
• The Battle of Scimitar Hill and attack on Hill 60 (21 - 22 August)
• Evacuation of ANZAC and Suvla (10 - 19 December)
• Evacuation of Cape Helles (10 December 1915 - 9 January 1916)